UNDERSTANDING
MMC/C5FU CHEMOTHERAPY UNDERSTANDING
MMC/C5FU CHEMOTHERAPY
A Guide for Patients produced by the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh
Introduction
This guide has
been designed to help you and your family understand more about the chemotherapy
you are about to have as treatment for your cancer. If you need more information
or have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask your hospital doctor
or chemotherapy nurse.
What Is Cancer?
Our bodies are made up of tiny structures called cells that cannot be seen by
the naked eye. Normally these cells reproduce themselves by dividing in a regular
fashion. This enables growth and repair of the body tissues. Sometimes an uncontrolled
growth of cells occurs. This is what happens in cancer.
What is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy means treatment with medicines called cytotoxic drugs that are
given to eradicate or control cancer cells that are known to be present and
may be causing symptoms.
How Do Chemotherapy Drugs
Work?
The drugs enter the bloodstream and are distributed to all parts of your body.
It is likely to take at least 3-5 weeks from the start of your treatment for
any benefit to be seen. The drugs destroy the cancer cells by interfenng with
their ability to grow and divide. Chemotherapy can also affect normal cells
which are growmg and dividing This may cause certain side effects, but these
are temporary because healthy cells grow back to normal quickly. The side effects
of the drugs in this treatment will be discussed later.
How Are Chemotherapy
Drugs Given?
The drugs are given through a skin tunnelled catheter, more commonly known as
a Hickman Line, which is inserted into a large vein, normally under local anaesthetic.
Your Hickman Line will have been inserted several days prior to you starting
chemotherapy. You will be given information on how to care for your Hickman
Line when it is inserted. Your Hickman Line will stay in for the duration of
your chemotherapy treatment. One of the chemotherapy drugs will be given continuously
over a prescribed period of time through a CADD pump which is a small, portable,
computerised pump The CADD pump will be programmed to deliver your chemotherapy
at a set, steady rate through your Hickman Line. (You will be given another
information leaflet on understanding your CADD pump). Your other chemotherapy
drugs will be given by injection into your Hickman Line which will be attached
to an intravenous drip containing saline for a short period of time.
What Can I Do While Having
This Treatment?
While you are having this chemotherapy treatment you can get on with life as
normal, Provided you feel well enough, you can carry on working and doing your
favourite activities and hobbies. You should discuss this with the hospital
doctor or chemotherapy nurse caring for you
If it fits in around your treatments you can go on holiday provided you discuss
it first with your doctor or nurse before aranging it. If you are gomg abroad
you may need a covermg letter You should also use a high factor sun lotion as
you are more likely to burn in the sun.
You will need to have a simple blood test to determine whether we are able to
give you your chemotherapy. This will be done either on the day of your treatment
by the practice nurse at your GP's surgery. It will be discussed with you by
your nurse on your first chemotherapy visit.
What is MMC/C5FU?
MMC/5FU is a combination of chemotherapy drugs that you will be receiving as
a treatment for your cancer. These drugs will be given over a period of 5 weeks
and after 3 weeks you will have completed 1 cycle of chemotherapy. You will
receive a maximum of 6 cycles.
The number of chemotherapy treatments given varies depending on each individual's treatment plan You will be seen regularly by your specialist doctor at the clinic so that he/she can monitor the effect of your chemotherapy.
Will I have side effects?
As with most forms of chemotherapy it is likely that you will expenence at least
some side effects, although the extent of this varies from person to person.
Below are some of the side effects which may be experienced and we will make
every effort to minimise them.
1. Nausea and Vomiting
Some patients can experience nausea and vomiting with this treatment, however
in most cases it can be effectively conlrofled with anti-sickness therapy and
there are a wide range of effective drugs. Anti-sickness drugs will be given
to you as a prevention during administration of the chemotherapy and you will
be given a supply to take home with you.
2. Temporary Hair Thinning
You may find that your hair may thin a little with this treatment but we do
not expect you to lose all your hair.
3. A Sore Mouth
Mouth ulcers both inside and outside the mouth, ie lips, can occur during this
regime. We will give you mouthwashes to use when you start your treatment to
try and counteract any problems. Contact your GP for advice if your mouth becomes
sore or ulcerated as there are further measures which can be used to help this.
4. Increased risk of
infection
During this chemotherapy regime you are more likely to pick up infections as
your blood count may become low. If you feel shivery, hot then cold, similar
to flu, or have a sore throat or earache, you should report this immediately
to your GP If you cannot contact your GP practice, phone the hospital for advice
on the numbers given. Urgent treatment with antibiotics may be necessary.
5. Diarrhoea
Mild diarrhoea is common, if this happens drink plenty of fluids and contact
your GP for advice A tablet may be prescribed to help
6. Soreness and Redness
of Feet and Hands
This is a temporary side effect and improves when the treatment is finished
We will provide you with a moisturizing cream to help prevent this
You may also feel tired at times. This can get worse the more treatments you have but should improve on completion of the chemotherapy regime.
When you attend for your next course of treatment, please let your chemotherapy nurse know if you have experienced any ill effects. The doctor may wish to adj ust the dose of chemotherapy to lessen your side effects.
We hope this information has helped you understand more about the MMC/C5FU regime. if you have any further questions or do have any problems, please phone using the contact numbers provided.
Contact Numbers:
Ward 1 (Mon - Fri 083 0-1630) 0131 5372219
Ward 4 (Emergency advice out of hours) 0131 537 2200